Construction work has begun on a US $20m (£12.4m 15.3m euro) expansion at the Living Planet Aquarium in Utah, US.

Located in Draper, Salt Lake City, the 136,000sq ft (41,452sq m) 'Loveland and Living Planet Aquarium' will showcase ecosystems from around the world. It will feature marine, freshwater and rainforest exhibit galleries and demonstrate how they work together to form one global ecosystem - the Living Planet.

Set to open in 2013, the aquarium's first floor will also feature a 400-seat banqueting space, a café and a gift shop.

A Discover Utah Gallery will exhibit freshwater aquatic species, amphibians and mammals indigenious to Utah.

A North American River Otter Exhibit will be the premiere attraction showcasing these lively animals in both an indoor and outdoor environment.

The second floor will feature the South America Gallery - an exhibition of rainforest species including Amazon river giants, free-flight tropical birds, caiman, giant anaconda, electric eels, poison arrow frogs and dozens of other exotic Amazon species.

There will also be a Penguin Encounter with up to 50 birds spanning several penguin species. The aquarium will also feature an interactive play area and a 4D theatre.